Compare & Save on Your Property Survey Today

Regulated property surveyors

Used by over 1 million people

Compare local, verified companies

compare now

Compare My Move Fact-Checking Standards

The Compare My Move team follows strict guidelines to ensure that every piece of content is accurate, trust-worthy and adheres to the highest standard of quality. Each article is expertly reviewed by members of our author panel before being published to promote accurate and quality content.

All Compare My Move articles adhere to the following standards:

  • Expertly reviewed - Our articles are reviewed by an industry expert with in-depth knowledge and experience of the article topic.
  • Data supported - All statistics, research and data must link or reference to the original source.
  • Accuracy - All research and data are taken from high-quality, trustworthy and authoritative sources.
  • Quality checked - Our content writers ensure every Compare My Move article is written to the highest of standard.
FACT CHECKED

How Much Does a House Survey Cost in 2024?

In 2024, a UK house survey costs between £290-£1,390, depending on the survey you need and the value of the property.

Compare My Move looked at average surveying costs from 20 RICS Chartered Surveyors across the UK. Our data provides a clear guideline for all house survey costs.

Save up to 70% on the cost of your surveying fees with Compare My Move. We can connect you with up to 6 local RICS Chartered Surveyors so you can compare surveying fees.

RICS Level 1 Survey cost - Condition Report

The Level 1 Home Survey or Condition Report costs £380 for the average UK home. The cost of a Condition Report is relative to your house price and size, so depending on your house price you could pay between £290 to £560 for the survey.

The Condition Report will only state if there are defects that need urgent repairs or further investigation. Your surveyor will provide condition ratings for the main parts of the building, garage and some outside elements. They will be rated from 1-3, with 1 meaning no repairs needed and 3 meaning urgent repair.

Level 1 Survey at a glance:

Mainly for new build homes.

The most basic and least in-depth survey.

Ideal if you just want a straightforward condition rating.

Won't offer advice on the value of the property.

To learn more, read our guide on the Level 1 Condition Report.

RICS Level 2 Survey cost - HomeBuyer Survey

A Level 2 Home Survey, also known as a HomeBuyers Survey costs £500 - though you may pay between £325 and £900. The true cost will vary depending on the value of the property and the surveyor’s rates. Any risks or repair work will be rated 1-3 using a Traffic Light System.

You can ask to have property Valuation done alongside the survey report, but it'll cost around £50 on average. If you need a Valuation for your mortgage agreement, check with your lender beforehand to ensure they will accept this type of valuation.

Level 2 Survey at a glance:

Suited for most modern property types.

Designed for properties that are in good condition.

Designed for properties that were made using common materials.

Not as in-depth as a level 3 survey.

More comprehensive than the condition report.

Valuation optional.

To learn more, read our guide on the Level 2 HomeBuyers Survey.

Save money on your property survey

Regulated property surveyors

Used by over 1 million people

compare now

RICS Level 3 Survey cost - Building Survey

A Level 3 Home Survey, sometimes called a Building Survey, costs £800 on average, though it can be as cheap as £630 and as expensive as £1,200. A Building Survey is the most comprehensive of all the survey types. It provides an in-depth examination of the structure and condition of the home. It's the highest survey level and includes a thorough inspection of the property and a detailed report.

A Building Survey may seem expensive, but it’ll highlight hidden defects that could cost you thousands to repair after you’ve moved in. You’ll also be given recommendations for further actions to help you decide whether the home is a worthy investment.

Level 3 Survey at a glance:

Suited for older or listed buildings.

Designed for properties that have had, or plan to have, extension or renovation work carried out.

Suitable for properties in poor condition

Designed for properties built using unusual materials.

The most comprehensive survey and usually the most expensive.

Describes identifiable risks and hidden defects.

To learn more, read our guide on the Level 3 Building Survey.

RICS Valuation cost

A Mortgage Valuation or RICS Valuation can cost £320 for an average-priced property in the UK, though costs can be as low as £160 and as high as £600. The cost of the valuation is relative to your property value and the lender you choose to go with.

The valuation won't look for hidden defects. It’ll only confirm to your mortgage lender that the property is worth what they're lending. Some mortgage lenders will include a valuation for free whilst some start at £75.

RICS Valuation at a glance:

This is not a property survey.

It's used by mortgage lenders to confirm the value of the property.

It won't highlight any defects or damage.

To learn more, read our guide on RICS Valuations.

House survey costs - by property value

The table below includes the average cost for all house surveys for a range of property values.

Property ValueRICS ValuationLevel 1 SurveyLevel 2 SurveyLevel 3 Survey
Up to £100,000£220£290£380£630
£100,001 to £200,000£280£290£420£700
£200,001 to £300,000£320£380£500£800
£300,001 to 400,000£370£400£570£900
£400,001 to £500,000
£420
£420
£640
£990
£500,001 to £600,000
£490
£470
£740
£1,120
£600,001 to £700,000
£520
£500
£790
£1,180
£700,001 to £800,000
£570
£520
£860
£1,270
£800,001 to £900,000
£610
£540
£920
£1,340
£900,001 to £1,000,000
£640
£560
£980
£1,390


Save money on your property survey

Regulated property surveyors

Used by over 1 million people

compare now

Home Report costs in Scotland

If you’re buying a house in Scotland, it’ll be the sellers’ responsibility to provide you with a Home Report. On average, this costs between £585 and £820 according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

Home Report at a glance:

Organised by the seller and seller pays.

It's made up of a Single Survey, Energy Report and Property Questionnaire.

Seller must give it to you within 9 days of asking.

Provides you with information on the home such as the council tax band.

Will tell you of any repairs needed.

Provides an Energy Performance Certificate.

To learn more, read our guide on Home Report Scotland.

FAQs

Learn more about house survey costs.

Are there any other costs involved?

If you or your surveyor spot a specific area of concern, you can order a Specific Defect Survey. This survey will be as in-depth as the Level 3 survey, but it only looks at the specific area highlighted such as subsidence or roof issues.

Your property surveyor will usually not be a structural engineer, electrician or plumber. They may recommend that you ask a specialist for alternative opinions and advice on certain problems. These will only be for specific issues and the option is entirely up to you.

What if the survey is bad?

Find out if any problems are still covered by the guarantee. For example, your survey might show a failing damp-proof course. The seller might still be within their guarantee and be able to get this amended.

If there’s any major building work flagged, ask local builders for quotes for the job. You can then present this to the seller to try and renegotiate your original offer to cover repair costs.

Who covers the cost if problems are found?

If you decide to take your surveyor’s advice and have a follow-up inspection, then you'll have to cover the added costs. Your surveyor should only recommend these if they believe a real risk might exist and the cost of the specialist inspection is justified. You can also ask the seller if they’re willing to take money off your original offer to cover any repair work.

Is a house survey worth the cost?

Although a house survey might seem expensive, you will save money in the long run by having one. RICS discovered that 4 in 5 homeowners bought a property without having a home survey first. These buyers then went on to spend on average £5,750 in unexpected repair work. A property surveyor can help you determine if the property is worth the investment or if there are too many repairs needed.

Peter Bolton King, RICS Global Residential Director, said, “Serious faults are difficult to identify and costly to repair. By not being aware of them, consumers are risking a potential home buying time bomb." King continued to say "this can cause extreme stress and financial strain on homeowners who are often stuck with a property they no longer want but cannot sell.

Finding a Surveyor

At Compare My Move, we can connect you with up to 6 surveyors and save you up to 70% on your surveying costs. Simply fill in our surveying comparison form to get connected today.

All our surveying partners have passed our strict verification process. Companies offering Home Surveys and Valuation Reports must be registered with RICS. Firms specialising in Party Wall and Snagging Surveys can be regulated by either the RPSA or RICS.

Need a Removal Company?

Once your property transaction is complete, you may need to arrange a removal company. You can compare companies through our integrated surveying and removal comparison form by filling out a few extra steps. We will then connect you with up to 6 surveyors and up to 6 removal companies, saving you up to 70% on your removal costs.

Was this article useful?

emoji-happy
emoji-sad

Written by

Reviewed by

Mike Ashton

Last updated

19th Feb, 2024

Read time

7 minutes

Martha Lott

Written by

Senior Digital Content Executive

Having guest authored for many property websites, Martha now researches and writes articles for everything moving house related, from remortgages to conveyancing costs.

Read our editorial process

Mike Ashton

Written by

Director

With over 20 years of experience in the property surveying industry, Mike Ashton is the director of Cambridge Building Surveyors.

Read our editorial process

More Advice Topics